This week's episode of the Empire Podcast is a smash, folks. First off, Alex Godfrey talks to ace actor Mike Faist, star of Luca Guadagnino's new tennis movie, Challengers [23:12 - 37:33 approx.], and then Chris Hewitt has a Zoom session (apologies if the sound is slightly distorted — tech issues) with Kerry Condon, Oscar-nominated star of The Banshees Of Inisherin, voice of F.R.I.D.A.Y. in the MCU, and star of this week's Liam Neeson thriller, In The Lands Of Saints And Sinners. [57:25 - 1:15:29 approx.] Either side of those, Chris hosts in the podbooth and is joined by Helen O'Hara, James Dyer and, for a spell, Sophie Butcher, to discuss the week's movie news, including the latest Deadpool & Wolverine trailer, review Challengers, In The Land Of Saints And Sinners, Boy Kills World, and Rebel Moon Part 2: The Scargiver, and tackle a listener question that has stuck around from last week, and mutated somehow into a...
- 4/26/2024
- by Chris Hewitt
- Empire - Movies
This week's episode of the Empire Podcast is perhaps less jam-packed and bumper-sized than normal, as we only have one guest. But what a guest, as Marisa Abela — terrific as Amy Winehouse in Sam Taylor-Johnson's Back To Black, the biopic of the iconic singer — talks to Chris Hewitt about the role, from the moment she got it to the gift she received at wrap. That can be found from 45:15 - 1:03:23 (approx).
Then, in the brand new podbooth, Chris is joined by Helen O'Hara, James Dyer, and Alex Godfrey to discuss Helen's attempt to murder James on the recent tour, tackle a listener question about what they like to watch on planes, discuss (most of) the week's movie news (as this was recorded before a ton of news came out of CinemaCon in Vegas; that will be tackled next week), and review Alex Garland's Civil War,...
Then, in the brand new podbooth, Chris is joined by Helen O'Hara, James Dyer, and Alex Godfrey to discuss Helen's attempt to murder James on the recent tour, tackle a listener question about what they like to watch on planes, discuss (most of) the week's movie news (as this was recorded before a ton of news came out of CinemaCon in Vegas; that will be tackled next week), and review Alex Garland's Civil War,...
- 4/12/2024
- by Chris Hewitt
- Empire - Movies
This week's Empire Podcast has more guests than the Overlook Hotel, all chatting to Chris Hewitt about their new movies. First, producer Jordan Peele tells Chris why he was so taken by Dev Patel's directorial debut, Monkey Man, that he came on board to help it get a theatrical release. Plus, they also talk why Peele is no longer acting. [15:40 - 30:56 approx] Then, Rufus Sewell — who plays Prince Andrew in Scoop, a film based on the infamous 2019 Newsnight interview with Emily Maitlis — and director Philip Martin talk about the task of playing one of the most famous men on the planet. [44:28 - 59:38 approx] And finally, while The First Omen — the prequel to The Omen, which shall henceforth be known as The Second Omen — is a terrifying tour de force, Chris' interview with its stars, Nell Tiger Free and Bill Nighy, is anything but as they talk about being dressed by the Vatican, being hit by lightning,...
- 4/5/2024
- by Chris Hewitt
- Empire - Movies
This week's episode of the Empire Podcast is brought to you by the letter E, as Cynthia Erivo and Luke Evans join Chris Hewitt to talk about their new projects. First up, Erivo talks about her astonishing performance in Drift, which she also produced, and in particular one harrowing scene, and its impact upon her. It's an incredibly intense and honest interview and it can be found from 24:11 - 38:18 (approx). Then Evans returns to the pod after a long absence to talk about his role in Our Son, in which he plays a gay man going through a painful divorce, and playing The Crystal Maze with Daniel Levy. That's from 59:17 - 1:16:28.
Either side of those, Chris is joined in the podbooth by Helen O'Hara and James Dyer for an episode in which they tackle a vaguely-Easter-themed Mount Rushmore question, discuss the storm over Late Night With The Devil...
Either side of those, Chris is joined in the podbooth by Helen O'Hara and James Dyer for an episode in which they tackle a vaguely-Easter-themed Mount Rushmore question, discuss the storm over Late Night With The Devil...
- 3/29/2024
- by Chris Hewitt
- Empire - Movies
Halloween isn't for another few months, but this week's Empire Podcast delivers a hat-trick of horrors nonetheless, as Chris Hewitt has spooky sitdowns on Zoom with the stars of three scary fillums that are all out this week. First, Sydney Sweeney, star and producer of nun-more-black horror, Immaculate, talks about sticking the landing and possession. [21:24 - 37:37 approx] Then, David Dastmalchian, star of stylish found footage shocker, Late Night With The Devil, dials in from his trailer in Toronto, where he's currently working, to talk that movie, The Dark Knight, life goals, Ant-Man And The Wasp and more. [55:16 – 1:15:44 approx.] And finally, a man who ain't afraid of no ghost, it's original Ghostbuster, Ernie Hudson, aka Winston Zeddemore, who has a chat about Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire that was shorter than usual due to Chris having issues with hotel wifi from Dublin. [1:44:32 — 1:54:43 approx.]
Then, in the podbooth in London, Chris is joined by Helen O'Hara and James Dyer...
Then, in the podbooth in London, Chris is joined by Helen O'Hara and James Dyer...
- 3/22/2024
- by Chris Hewitt
- Empire - Movies
While we're waiting patiently for Joel and Ethan Coen to reunite as the filmmaking entity known as the Coen Brothers, can we interest you in the Coen Brother and Sister-in-Law? For Ethan Coen and his wife, Tricia Cooke, have teamed up to make the rambunctious road trip comedy, Drive-Away Dolls, and on this week's episode they tell John Nugent about how they did it, and poke fun at his Star Wars toys. [25:34 - 40:09 approx.] We're also joined by another great filmmaker this week, as Phillip Noyce Zooms in for a chat with Chris Hewitt about life in the Hollywood system, and how his new movie, Pierce Brosnan thriller Fast Charlie, nearly fell apart at the first hurdle. [1:02:57 - 1:24:01 approx.]
Then, in the studio, Chris is joined by Helen O'Hara and James Dyer for a fun episode in which they discuss their most recent favourite movies, the films of Ryan Gosling, the week's movie news...
Then, in the studio, Chris is joined by Helen O'Hara and James Dyer for a fun episode in which they discuss their most recent favourite movies, the films of Ryan Gosling, the week's movie news...
- 3/15/2024
- by Chris Hewitt
- Empire - Movies
This week's episode of the Empire Podcast sees Chris Hewitt, Helen O'Hara and James Dyer cram into the podbooth just minutes after returning to London from a live show in Norwich, which was part of the pod's March tour. And, despite their exhaustion, they throw themselves into a fun episode that involves a deep dive into the filmographies of every actor who's played The Doctor in Doctor Who, an in-depth discussion of the upcoming Oscars that takes up pretty much the entire movie news section, and reviews of Damsel, Ricky Stanicky, and Origin.
Guest-wise, it's another belter, as Chris has lovely chats with the wonderful Robin Wright, star of Damsel and Helen's personal fave, The Princess Bride (25:02 - 39:43 approx.), before welcoming back the magnificent DeWanda Wise, star of this week's horror film, Imaginary (1:02:11 - 1:21:17 approx). Does Chris pluck up the nerve to sing Curtis Stigers' I Wonder Why,...
Guest-wise, it's another belter, as Chris has lovely chats with the wonderful Robin Wright, star of Damsel and Helen's personal fave, The Princess Bride (25:02 - 39:43 approx.), before welcoming back the magnificent DeWanda Wise, star of this week's horror film, Imaginary (1:02:11 - 1:21:17 approx). Does Chris pluck up the nerve to sing Curtis Stigers' I Wonder Why,...
- 3/8/2024
- by Chris Hewitt
- Empire - Movies
This week's episode of the Empire Podcast is perfectly balanced, as all things should be. In the first half, Chris Hewitt sits down with ol' Thanos himself, aka the one and only Josh Brolin, for a wide-ranging conversation that takes in birthday parties, Brolin's growth as an actor, his aversion to compliments, and his return as the indefatigable Gurney Halleck in Denis Villeneuve's Dune: Part Two, which opens this week (21:56 - 41:02 approx.) Chris then ticks another one off his bucket list by having a fun Zoom chat with Adam Sandler, star of the new Netflix sci-fi drama Spaceman, and his co-star Paul Dano (56:14 - 1:10:38 approx.)
Either side of those, Helen O'Hara hosts from the podbooth this week, and she, James Dyer, Alex Godfrey and Sophie Butcher tackle a couple of listener questions, one involving Muppets; discuss what passes for the week's movie news...
Either side of those, Helen O'Hara hosts from the podbooth this week, and she, James Dyer, Alex Godfrey and Sophie Butcher tackle a couple of listener questions, one involving Muppets; discuss what passes for the week's movie news...
- 3/1/2024
- by James White
- Empire - Movies
It's another jam-packed episode of the Empire Podcast this week, folks. Our guest cup certainly overfloweth, as Olly Richards sits down on Zoom with Memory stars Jessica Chastain and Peter Sarsgaard (21:17 - 37:40 approx.), Ian Freer talks Kurosawa, Columbo, German goalkeepers and Japanese toilets with the legendary director Wim Wenders (58:36 - 1:14:11 approx), and Dan Jolin gushes liberally all over City Of God in a 21st anniversary re-release chat with that film's director, Fernando Meirelles (1:30:51 - 1:48:04 approx).
Either side of those, Chris Hewitt hosts and is joined in the podbooth by Helen O'Hara and James Dyer for a fun episode in which they discuss their best ever days as film fans, their favourite queer films, the week's movie news including the announcement of Sam Mendes' wildly ambitious Beatles biopics, and review Memory, Wim Wenders' Perfect Days, Wicked Little Letters, and American Star. Oh,...
Either side of those, Chris Hewitt hosts and is joined in the podbooth by Helen O'Hara and James Dyer for a fun episode in which they discuss their best ever days as film fans, their favourite queer films, the week's movie news including the announcement of Sam Mendes' wildly ambitious Beatles biopics, and review Memory, Wim Wenders' Perfect Days, Wicked Little Letters, and American Star. Oh,...
- 2/23/2024
- by Chris Hewitt
- Empire - Movies
This week's Empire Podcast brings you a double bill of wonderful actors, nattering away about their latest projects. How lovely. First up, Kingsley Ben-Adir talks to Amon Warmann about Bob Marley: One Love, the film that shines the spotlight on two pivotal years in the life of the legendary reggae singer, Bob Marley, and the madness of being part of Greta Gerwig's Barbie. (22-46.00 — 41:52.00) And Chris Hewitt has a lovely talk with Tahar Rahim, star of Madame Web, about finally saying yes to Hollywood, what he would do if he knew when he was going to die, and working with Ridley Scott on Napoleon. (1:08:18.00 — 1:23:07.00)
Then, in the podbooth, Chris is joined by Helen O'Hara and James Dyer to discuss billion dollar movies that should have been nominated for Best Picture, the week's movie news including the revelation of the Fantastic Four casting and the Super Bowl trailers,...
Then, in the podbooth, Chris is joined by Helen O'Hara and James Dyer to discuss billion dollar movies that should have been nominated for Best Picture, the week's movie news including the revelation of the Fantastic Four casting and the Super Bowl trailers,...
- 2/16/2024
- by Chris Hewitt
- Empire - Movies
Another week, another packed episode of the Empire Podcast, and once again we're joined by some cracking guests. First, Jeffrey Wright, the freshly Oscar-nominated star of American Fiction, joins Chris Hewitt to talk about that movie, his working practices, the film's unusual original title, and more. (30:37 - 48:53)Then Alex Godfrey sits down on Zoom with The Iron Claw director, Sean Durkin, and his star Zac Efron, for a chat about wrestling, big arms, and big hearts.
And either side of those, Chris is joined in the podbooth by Helen O'Hara, James Dyer, and John Nugent to discuss a whole host of stuff. They talk about the upcoming Empire Podcast tour (Birmingham! Norwich! Sheffield! Dublin! Manchester!), which has just gone on sale now, right some Oscar wrongs for the third and final time, this time tackling Best Director, discuss the week's movie news, including the sad death of Carl Weathers,...
And either side of those, Chris is joined in the podbooth by Helen O'Hara, James Dyer, and John Nugent to discuss a whole host of stuff. They talk about the upcoming Empire Podcast tour (Birmingham! Norwich! Sheffield! Dublin! Manchester!), which has just gone on sale now, right some Oscar wrongs for the third and final time, this time tackling Best Director, discuss the week's movie news, including the sad death of Carl Weathers,...
- 2/9/2024
- by Chris Hewitt
- Empire - Movies
The greater the spy movie, the bigger the guests. That's the motto of this week's Empire Podcast, as Chris Hewitt sits down with Henry Cavill and Sam Rockwell, stars of Matthew Vaughn's new spy caper Argylle, for a fun chat about dancing, fighting, and novelists. (23:46 - 40:04) Chris is also joined by the wonderful Kumail Nanjiani, who returns to the pod to talk about his strange year of strikes, and becoming a duck for the new Illumination movie, Migration (1:02:52 - 1:17:16).
Then, Chris is joined in the podbooth by Helen O'Hara, Ben Travis, and James Dyer as they right more Oscar wrongs (this time in the Best Actress category), discuss the week's movie news, including Duncan Jones directing Rogue Trooper, and review Argylle, Migration, Cord Jefferson's fantastic American Fiction, and Jonathan Glazer's The Zone Of Interest. And Chris doesn't mention Jürgen Klopp once,...
Then, Chris is joined in the podbooth by Helen O'Hara, Ben Travis, and James Dyer as they right more Oscar wrongs (this time in the Best Actress category), discuss the week's movie news, including Duncan Jones directing Rogue Trooper, and review Argylle, Migration, Cord Jefferson's fantastic American Fiction, and Jonathan Glazer's The Zone Of Interest. And Chris doesn't mention Jürgen Klopp once,...
- 2/2/2024
- by Chris Hewitt
- Empire - Movies
Still looking to replicate Disney's (albeit hit-and-miss) efforts to convert its animated canon into live-action/CG concoctions, DreamWorks is moving forward with a real people-cg creatures take on :a[How To Train Your Dragon]{href='https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/train-dragon-review/' }. And while many of the leads are understandably being re-cast with younger actors, one is making the leap from the successful 'toon outings the new film: Gerard Butler.
The actor, who played Viking chief Stoic the Vast for the three main movies and one TV movie spin-off, will be donning hair, make-up and armour to play the man in live-action. He'll likely be back despairing of his son Hiccup (to be played in the new movie by :a[The Black Phone]{href='https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/the-black-phone/' }'s Mason Thames) underperformance as a viking, but once more impressed when the lad forms a bond with a dragon named Toothless.
The actor, who played Viking chief Stoic the Vast for the three main movies and one TV movie spin-off, will be donning hair, make-up and armour to play the man in live-action. He'll likely be back despairing of his son Hiccup (to be played in the new movie by :a[The Black Phone]{href='https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/the-black-phone/' }'s Mason Thames) underperformance as a viking, but once more impressed when the lad forms a bond with a dragon named Toothless.
- 1/7/2024
- by James White
- Empire - Movies
The final Empire Podcast of 2023 is here, folks, and it's a belter, with two incredible guests. First up, Michael Fassbender returns to the pod after an absence of a few years, and in an extended interview with Chris Hewitt, he talks about returning to the big screen with the double-whammy of David Fincher's :a[The Killer]{href='https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/the-killer-2023/' } and Taika Waititi's :a[Next Goal Wins]{href='https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/next-goal-wins-2023/' }. Plus, he talks about going to Anfield, home of Liverpool Football Club, for that game against Barcelona in 2019, shares his love of The Streets Of San Francisco, and confesses that he may not actually be telling the truth in interviews. It's a very fun chat that starts at 20:11, and ends at 42:09. Then, Alex Godfrey has a nice natter with Adam Driver, star of Michael Mann's :a[Ferrari]{href='https://www.
- 12/29/2023
- by Chris Hewitt
- Empire - Movies
Merry Christmas, you filthy animals! Here's a little Christmas bonus for you all: the Empire Podcast's Review Of The Year. 2023 (for that is the year in question) was a year that gave us so much, cinematically speaking, from Barbenheimer to Empire's official number one film, :a[Past Lives]{href='https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/past-lives/' }, and everything in-between, including the first signs of weakness in the previously invulnerable Marvel Cinematic Universe.
And, in this near three-hour special, Chris Hewitt, Helen O'Hara, James Dyer, and Ben Travis discuss all of that, and much, much more. Much, much, much more, in fact. However, Chris is very aware that, even though he set it up, he got distracted and forgot to talk about the brilliant scene in :a[No Hard Feelings]{href='https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/no-hard-feelings/' } where Andrew Barth Feldman sings Maneater, and would like to rectify...
And, in this near three-hour special, Chris Hewitt, Helen O'Hara, James Dyer, and Ben Travis discuss all of that, and much, much more. Much, much, much more, in fact. However, Chris is very aware that, even though he set it up, he got distracted and forgot to talk about the brilliant scene in :a[No Hard Feelings]{href='https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/no-hard-feelings/' } where Andrew Barth Feldman sings Maneater, and would like to rectify...
- 12/26/2023
- by Chris Hewitt
- Empire - Movies
The last Empire Podcast before Christmas brings you a pair of lovely interviews as our gift to you: first, Mike Muncer sits down on Zoom with Rosamund Pike to talk about class warfare and the challenges of starring in Emerald Fennell's :a[Saltburn]{href='https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/saltburn/' }, which is now streaming on Prime Video. Then, Chris Hewitt has a lovely audience with Bradley Cooper and Carey Mulligan, stars of :a[Maestro]{href='https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/maestro/' }, Cooper's second film as director.
Either side of those, Chris is joined in the virtual podbooth by Helen O'Hara and James Dyer as they tackle a whole bunch of Christmas movie questions, discuss the week's movie news, review :a[Aquaman And The Lost Kingdom]{href='https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/aquaman-and-the-lost-kingdom/' }, :a[Society Of The Snow]{href='https://www.empireonline.com/movies...
Either side of those, Chris is joined in the virtual podbooth by Helen O'Hara and James Dyer as they tackle a whole bunch of Christmas movie questions, discuss the week's movie news, review :a[Aquaman And The Lost Kingdom]{href='https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/aquaman-and-the-lost-kingdom/' }, :a[Society Of The Snow]{href='https://www.empireonline.com/movies...
- 12/22/2023
- by Chris Hewitt
- Empire - Movies
On this week's Empire Podcast, Timmy Two Meats returns, only this time he's… Timmy Two Sweets? Yes, Timothée Chalamet, the star of Paul King's wonderful :a[Wonka]{href='https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/wonka/' }, is back on the pod, and this time he's brought his co-star, the wickedly talented Keegan-Michael Key, with him. Together, they talk to Chris Hewitt about musicals, sketches, and their friendship. Then, with the release of :a[Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem]{href='https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/teenage-mutant-ninja-turtles-mutant-mayhem/' } on shiny disc, Ben Travis has a nice natter with that film's director, Jeff Rowe.
Either side of those, Chris is joined in the podbooth by Helen O'Hara and James Dyer, as they talk about Tom Cruise cake, resurrecting dead stars for audiobooks and sleep tapes, a host of new trailers, and review Wonka, :a[Chicken Run: Dawn Of The Nugget]{href='https://www.
Either side of those, Chris is joined in the podbooth by Helen O'Hara and James Dyer, as they talk about Tom Cruise cake, resurrecting dead stars for audiobooks and sleep tapes, a host of new trailers, and review Wonka, :a[Chicken Run: Dawn Of The Nugget]{href='https://www.
- 12/8/2023
- by Chris Hewitt
- Empire - Movies
Empire Podcast #593: Richard Curtis, William Oldroyd & Thomasin McKenzie, Riz Ahmed & Jessie Buckley
It's another guest-packed jamboree on this week's Empire Podcast, folks. First, Chris Hewitt asks Richard Curtis about revisiting his BBC Christmas classic, Bernard & The Genie, as the new Sky Cinema film, :a[Genie]{href='https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/genie/' }. Chris also chats with William Oldroyd, director of the new thriller :a[Eileen]{href='https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/eileen/' }, and his star, Thomasin McKenzie. And then Amon Warmann Zooms in for a lovely natter with :a[Fingernails]{href='https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/fingernails/' } stars, Riz Ahmed and Jessie Buckley. We really do spoil you lot.
And either side of all those is another fun episode as Chris is joined in the podbooth by Helen O'Hara and James Dyer to talk about the forthcoming live show to mark our 600th episode (:a[on sale now]{href='https://www.kingsplace.co.uk/whats-on/comedy/the-empire-podcast-600th-episode-live/' } -- be quick!
And either side of all those is another fun episode as Chris is joined in the podbooth by Helen O'Hara and James Dyer to talk about the forthcoming live show to mark our 600th episode (:a[on sale now]{href='https://www.kingsplace.co.uk/whats-on/comedy/the-empire-podcast-600th-episode-live/' } -- be quick!
- 12/1/2023
- by Chris Hewitt
- Empire - Movies
It's another jam-packed episode of the Empire Podcast this week, folks. First, Chris Hewitt sits down on Zoom with ace composer and musician, Jon Batiste, and Matthew Heineman, about their new documentary, American Symphony; then he battles an uncooperative microphone stand and emerges with an enormously fun interview with :a[Napoleon]{href='https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/napoleon-2023/' } stars, Joaquin Phoenix and Vanessa Kirby; and lastly two walking Disney encyclopaedias meet, as our Ben Travis sits down with Jennifer Lee, the writer of this week's :a[Wish]{href='https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/wish/' } and Chief Creative Officer of Walt Disney Animation Studios.
On either side of all of those is a fun episode in which Chris is joined in the podbooth by Helen O'Hara and James Dyer to discuss the actor whose back catalogue they would choose to watch for the rest of their lives; natter about...
On either side of all of those is a fun episode in which Chris is joined in the podbooth by Helen O'Hara and James Dyer to discuss the actor whose back catalogue they would choose to watch for the rest of their lives; natter about...
- 11/24/2023
- by Chris Hewitt
- Empire - Movies
Can you tell the SAG-AFTRA strike is over after several long months, folks? We sure can, because the Empire Podcast this week was besieged by big-name Hollywood actor-types, all keen to appear on the podcast after months of walking up and down outside studios with picket signs. First up, the wonderful Rachel Zegler returns to the pod to talk to Sophie Butcher about starring in the :a[Hunger Games]{href='https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/hunger-games-review/' } prequel, :a[The Ballad Of Songbirds And Snakes]{href='https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/the-hunger-games-the-ballad-of-songbirds-snakes/' }, and brings her British co-star, Tom Blyth, with her. Then, John Nugent sits down on Zoom for an engrossing chat about :a[Killers Of The Flower Moon]{href='https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/killers-of-the-flower-moon/' } and the history surrounding it and the Osage people with that film's breakout star, Lily Gladstone. And then,...
- 11/17/2023
- by Chris Hewitt
- Empire - Movies
This week's Empire Podcast is up later than usual, for which we apologise most sincerely, but we're hopeful that it will be worth the wait. It's a very special live episode, recorded on Thursday night at Leeds Trinity University as part of their Journalism & Media Week, and saw Chris Hewitt, Helen O'Hara and James Dyer travel to Horsforth in Leeds to have a ton of film-related fun in front of an audience of Empire Podcast listeners and media students. But that's not all — the brilliant Gareth Evans, director of :a[The Raid]{href='https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/raid-review/' } and :a[The Raid 2]{href='https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/raid-2-review/' }, travelled with the team as both our very special guest and an honorary Colleague Of Such Lethal Cunning, sitting in with us for the entire show. Which means you'll hear Gareth in the Movie News section,...
- 11/12/2023
- by Chris Hewitt
- Empire - Movies
Blimey, it's another cracking line-up on this week's Empire Podcast, as first Sophie Butcher chats with :a[Bottoms]{href='https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/bottoms/' } director Emma Seligman about female fight clubs and improv; Chris Hewitt talks to :a[The Royal Hotel]{href='https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/the-royal-hotel/' } director, Kitty Green, about her excellent drama set in the Australian Outback; and finally there's an excerpt from Chris' interview with the legendary Sir Patrick Stewart, who talks about writing his memoir, Making It So.
Then, using Star Trek-esque technology, Chris beams into the podbooth this week and is joined by Helen O'Hara, James Dyer, and the aforementioned Sophie Butcher as they pay a fond tribute to the great Matthew Perry, get given a chance to wave a magic wand in the direction of Marvel Studios, discuss the week's movie news, and review The Royal Hotel, :a...
Then, using Star Trek-esque technology, Chris beams into the podbooth this week and is joined by Helen O'Hara, James Dyer, and the aforementioned Sophie Butcher as they pay a fond tribute to the great Matthew Perry, get given a chance to wave a magic wand in the direction of Marvel Studios, discuss the week's movie news, and review The Royal Hotel, :a...
- 11/4/2023
- by Chris Hewitt
- Empire - Movies
It's not so much a hat-trick of amazing guests on this week's Empire Podcast, more a hat-treat as our bumper-sized Halloween edition brings you, tucked away at the episode's end (should you wish to skip there immediately), Ben Travis' warm and wonderful chat with Greta Gerwig, director of the year's biggest movie, :a[Barbie]{href='https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/barbie/' }, just in time to mark its release on home entertainment. Plus, Alex Godfrey catches up with Matt Johnson, director of the brilliant :a[Blackberry]{href='https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/blackberry/' }, and Chris Hewitt talks Hammer and breaking into Pinewood Studios (hopefully not with a hammer) with the newly-revived studio's first title star, Eddie Izzard, star of :a[Doctor Jekyll]{href='https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/doctor-jekyll/' }.
Then, in the podbooth, Chris is joined by Helen O'Hara, James Dyer, and John Nugent for a...
Then, in the podbooth, Chris is joined by Helen O'Hara, James Dyer, and John Nugent for a...
- 10/27/2023
- by Chris Hewitt
- Empire - Movies
This week's Empire Podcast would have been a lot longer had we kept in all the bits where Chris Hewitt was coughing. Needless to say, we cut (most) of them out (probably), leaving instead another fine and fun episode in which Chris is joined in the studio by James Dyer and Helen O'Hara, thus putting them at risk of infection. Thankfully, none of them turn into mindless zombies (how could we tell?) as they discuss the week's news, including the sad passing of Terence Davies, Kevin Costner's big-screen comeback, and rumoured upheaval at both Marvel Studios and A24, review :a[The Miracle Club]{href='https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/the-miracle-club/' }, Shortcomings, :a[BlackBerry]{href='https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/blackberry/' } and Paw Patrol: The Mighty Movie, and fail spectacularly to name all the Carry On movies. Oh, and James bangs on about Taylor Swift, which makes a change.
- 10/13/2023
- by James White
- Empire - Movies
Another hat-trick of directors on this week's beautifully-designed, utterly symmetrical Empire Podcast, folks. First, Ben Travis says what a marvellous day for a chat with David Gordon Green, director of :a[The Exorcist: Believer]{href='https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/the-exorcist-believer/' }. Then, Beth Webb chats with Chloe Domont, the writer/director of the savage relationship drama, :a[Fair Play]{href='https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/fair-play/' }. And then John Nugent travels to Venice to have a chat with the one and only Wes Anderson – who was wearing pyjamas monogrammed with his own initials – about his Roald Dahl short films, currently streaming on Netflix. John didn't have any pod equipment with him, which is why his audio is slightly spotty in this one.
Then, back in the virtual podbooth, Chris Hewitt hosts and is joined by Helen O'Hara, James Dyer, and Amon Warmann for a fun episode in which they review The Exorcist: Believer,...
Then, back in the virtual podbooth, Chris Hewitt hosts and is joined by Helen O'Hara, James Dyer, and Amon Warmann for a fun episode in which they review The Exorcist: Believer,...
- 10/6/2023
- by Chris Hewitt
- Empire - Movies
It's another jam-packed episode of the Empire Podcast this week, as Chris Hewitt chats to three very different directors, and learns a lot about them (and himself) along the way. First up is John Carney, the Irish director of ultra-charming musical comedy-dramas like :a[Sing Street]{href='https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/sing-street-review/' } and his new movie, :a[Flora & Son]{href='https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/flora-and-son/' }, who tells Chris all about his first guitar, focusing on his childhood, and directing Eve Hewson in the title role. Then Gareth Edwards, who makes a triumphant return this week with new sci-fi :a[The Creator]{href='https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/the-creator/' } some seven years after his bruising experience directing :a[Rogue One]{href='https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/rogue-one-star-wars-story-review/' }, sits down with Chris for a natter about opening weekends, and forging the right creative path.
- 9/29/2023
- by Chris Hewitt
- Empire - Movies
Red, White & Royal Blue is a romantic comedy film directed by Matthew Lopez from a screenplay by Lopez and Ted Malawer. The rom-com film is based on a book of the same name by Casey McQuiston and it follows the love story of Alex Claremont-Diaz (Taylor Zakhar Perez), the son of the first female President of the United States Ellen Claremont (Uma Thurman) and Prince Henry (Nicholas Galitzine), a British Prince. The romantic comedy film sees our protagonists pulled between love and duty while having carefree fun.
The YA rom-com film also stars Sarah Shahi (The L Word) as Zahra Bankston, Stephen Fry (Blackadder) as King James III, Rachel Hilson as Nora Holleran, Polo Morin (Who Killed Sara?) as Rafael Luna, and Ellie Bamber (Nocturnal Animals) as Princess Beatrice).
So let’s find what the critics are saying about the YA rom-com film. Check out the review quotes from...
The YA rom-com film also stars Sarah Shahi (The L Word) as Zahra Bankston, Stephen Fry (Blackadder) as King James III, Rachel Hilson as Nora Holleran, Polo Morin (Who Killed Sara?) as Rafael Luna, and Ellie Bamber (Nocturnal Animals) as Princess Beatrice).
So let’s find what the critics are saying about the YA rom-com film. Check out the review quotes from...
- 8/11/2023
- by Kulwant Singh
- Cinema Blind
Where do we get those wonderful guests? This week's Empire Podcast brings you the audio from our recent Empire VIP Club Q&a with the one, the only Michael Keaton, on the occasion of his return to the role of Batman in Andy Muschietti's The Flash. Hear Keaton talk to Alex Godfrey about why he signed on to play Batman for Tim Burton, coming up with that voice, and the fun he's having reteaming with Burton on Beetlejuice 2, and then sign up to the Empire VIP Club, why don't you, so you can experience events like this in person. Our other guest this week is the wonderful Alice Lowe, who talks to Mike Muncer about her Take That musical comedy, Greatest Days, and about what we can expect from her next film as a director, Timestalker.
Then, in the podbooth, Chris Hewitt hosts and is joined by Helen O'Hara...
Then, in the podbooth, Chris Hewitt hosts and is joined by Helen O'Hara...
- 6/16/2023
- by Chris Hewitt
- Empire - Movies
Another jam-packed edition of the freshly award-losing Empire Podcast this week, folks, with three separate interviews, and four incredible guests. First, Chevalier star Kelvin Harrison Jr. talks French accents and violins with Neel Bhatt (making his pod interview debut!) Then, Eva Longoria — director of Flamin' Hot and possessor of one of the best laughs in the business — sits down on Zoom with James White to talk about her feature film directorial debut. And then Chris Hewitt is visited in studio by Transformers: Rise Of The Beasts stars Anthony Ramos and Dominique Fishback, and gets one of them hopelessly addicted to M&s Phizzy Pigtails. Be warned: there are sounds of chewing during this interview, which we know puts some people off. Forewarned is forearmed and all that.
Then, on either side of those interviews, Chris is joined by Helen O'Hara and James Dyer to discuss which film director owns the 90s,...
Then, on either side of those interviews, Chris is joined by Helen O'Hara and James Dyer to discuss which film director owns the 90s,...
- 6/9/2023
- by Chris Hewitt
- Empire - Movies
Double Oscar winner Cate Blanchett had one of her first big film successes as the ethereal Galadriel in Peter Jackson‘s seminal “The Lord of the Rings” movie trilogy. Stepping into this role in Amazon Prime Video’s “The Rings of Power” must have been daunting for Morfydd Clark but she pulls it off admirably.
Set thousands of years before Jackson’s movies saw Frodo and Sam journey through Middle Earth to take the one ring to Mordor, “The Rings of Power” follows a collection of Middle Earth beings from dwarves and elves to humans and Harfoots as an ancient evil re-emerges in Middle Earth. Clark plays a younger version of Galadriel and makes the character entirely her own.
Blanchett’s older, wiser, more-experienced Galadriel was poetic, graceful, other-worldly, balanced, and celestial. But Clark’s Galadriel is a more boisterous incarnation — she has grit and brutality, persistence, and dogged determination.
Set thousands of years before Jackson’s movies saw Frodo and Sam journey through Middle Earth to take the one ring to Mordor, “The Rings of Power” follows a collection of Middle Earth beings from dwarves and elves to humans and Harfoots as an ancient evil re-emerges in Middle Earth. Clark plays a younger version of Galadriel and makes the character entirely her own.
Blanchett’s older, wiser, more-experienced Galadriel was poetic, graceful, other-worldly, balanced, and celestial. But Clark’s Galadriel is a more boisterous incarnation — she has grit and brutality, persistence, and dogged determination.
- 6/7/2023
- by Jacob Sarkisian
- Gold Derby
Greetings, Spidey fans! This week's episode of the Empire Podcast sees Chris Hewitt point at Spider-Man: Across The Spider-Verse stars, Shameik Moore (aka Miles Morales), Hailee Steinfeld (aka Gwen Stacy), and Daniel Kaluuya (aka Spider-Punk). They also have a fun chat once the fingers are holstered.
Speaking of fingers, Chris is joined in the podbooth by Helen O'Hara, who has her full complement, and James Dyer, who… well, you'll see. Together, the three of them chat about the week's movie news, review Across The Spider-Verse, Rob Savage's The Boogeyman, and Tina Satter's Reality, while they tackle a listener question that asks which director won the 1980s. Whoever it is, we hope they keep it on their mantelpiece. But that's not all! Ian Freer also has a chat with the most excellent Melissa Barrera, star of the recent Scream series and now this week's adaptation of Carmen. Ok, let's do this one more time…...
Speaking of fingers, Chris is joined in the podbooth by Helen O'Hara, who has her full complement, and James Dyer, who… well, you'll see. Together, the three of them chat about the week's movie news, review Across The Spider-Verse, Rob Savage's The Boogeyman, and Tina Satter's Reality, while they tackle a listener question that asks which director won the 1980s. Whoever it is, we hope they keep it on their mantelpiece. But that's not all! Ian Freer also has a chat with the most excellent Melissa Barrera, star of the recent Scream series and now this week's adaptation of Carmen. Ok, let's do this one more time…...
- 6/2/2023
- by Chris Hewitt
- Empire - Movies
This week's episode of the Empire Podcast lives its life a quarter of a mile at a time, with some hot peri-peri sauce on the side, as Sung Kang – aka Han from Fast X – Zooms in for an extended chat with Chris Hewitt, in which mind-blowing revelations are, um, revealed about Sung's predilection for Nando's, Tesco, and Liverpool Fc. Did he and Chris just become best friends? Yep!
Elsewhere, in the studio, Chris is joined by James Dyer and Alex Godfrey and, remotely from her Covid-cave, Helen O'Hara for a fun episode in which they tackle another Mount Rushmore question; discuss the 298 trailers that were released this week, including Mission: Impossible — Dead Reckoning Part One and Gareth Edwards' comeback movie, The Creator; and review Fast X, Beau Is Afraid, and Are You There, God? It's Me, Margaret. Oh, and Chris gives a four-hour lecture on the Pink Panther...
Elsewhere, in the studio, Chris is joined by James Dyer and Alex Godfrey and, remotely from her Covid-cave, Helen O'Hara for a fun episode in which they tackle another Mount Rushmore question; discuss the 298 trailers that were released this week, including Mission: Impossible — Dead Reckoning Part One and Gareth Edwards' comeback movie, The Creator; and review Fast X, Beau Is Afraid, and Are You There, God? It's Me, Margaret. Oh, and Chris gives a four-hour lecture on the Pink Panther...
- 5/19/2023
- by Chris Hewitt
- Empire - Movies
It's been 30 years since Wallace & Gromit: The Wrong Trousers and Chris, in a special preview of a bigger interview to come, sat down with Nick Park to talk all things Aardman. And Aml Ameen joins us to discuss hunting down paramilitaries in '70s London with Sky original Dead Shot.
Plus, with Chris in LA, James Dyer, Helen O'Hara and John Nugent converge upon the studio to chat about the movie location landmarks that take them to their respective happy places, whether The Meg 2 will be the greatest film ever made and quite who Jenna Ortega plays in the new Beetlejuice sequel.
Listen to the episode on the pod app of your choice — or via the PlanetRadio player above.
Plus, with Chris in LA, James Dyer, Helen O'Hara and John Nugent converge upon the studio to chat about the movie location landmarks that take them to their respective happy places, whether The Meg 2 will be the greatest film ever made and quite who Jenna Ortega plays in the new Beetlejuice sequel.
Listen to the episode on the pod app of your choice — or via the PlanetRadio player above.
- 5/12/2023
- by Chris Hewitt
- Empire - Movies
The Guardians Of The Galaxy — or, at least, James Gunn's Guardians Of The Galaxy — are about to make their last stand with this week's long-awaited Vol. 3, and in this week's episode of the Empire Podcast, Chris Hewitt Zooms with Nebula herself, Karen Gillan, for a fun chat taking in everything from conspiracy theories to James Gunn's initial firing from the project, and everything in-between. Chris also has a chat with another regular pod-guest, Joe Russo, who tells Chris about the second year of the St. Andrews International Film Festival, why he never keeps track of his score at golf, and more. That 'more' includes an in-depth chat about the state of the filmmaking union and the rise of A.I. and its impact upon movies, and while this was recorded a couple of weeks ago, it feels very timely now given this week's decision, by the WGA, to call a strike,...
- 5/5/2023
- by Chris Hewitt
- Empire - Movies
Given that our Helen O'Hara was once Grand Admiral President of a college Babylon 5 fan society and that James and/or Chris dig out this Spaced quote, on any mention of the show, we can predict how some of this week's Empire Podcast might go, given that series creator J. Michael Straczynski has announced an animated movie based on the show.
The series, which ran in syndication and on US cable channel TNT for five seasons or 110 episodes and seven TV movies (the vast majority of which were written by Straczynski), featured the titular five-mile-long space station in neutral space, a port of call for travelers, smugglers, corporate explorers and alien diplomats at a time of uneasy peace and the constant threat of war. Ancient races brought conflict and a variety of the younger species banded together to finally end it.
Straczynski has been developing a reboot series for US network The CW,...
The series, which ran in syndication and on US cable channel TNT for five seasons or 110 episodes and seven TV movies (the vast majority of which were written by Straczynski), featured the titular five-mile-long space station in neutral space, a port of call for travelers, smugglers, corporate explorers and alien diplomats at a time of uneasy peace and the constant threat of war. Ancient races brought conflict and a variety of the younger species banded together to finally end it.
Straczynski has been developing a reboot series for US network The CW,...
- 5/4/2023
- by James White
- Empire - Movies
Yub nub, motherfubbers! To celebrate Return Of The Jedi's 40th anniversary, and re-release in cinemas around the world, we bring you a gift that would have impressed even the mighty Jabba the Hutt: the live podcast we recorded a few weeks ago when Star Wars Celebration came to London.
So join Chris Hewitt, Helen O'Hara, Nick de Semlyen, and Ben Travis for a fun-filled hour of bad impressions, even worse opinions, audience questions, and Ewok recipes. Oh, and it's a family show, so no swearies! Enjoy.
Listen to the episode on the pod app of your choice — or via the PlanetRadio player above.
So join Chris Hewitt, Helen O'Hara, Nick de Semlyen, and Ben Travis for a fun-filled hour of bad impressions, even worse opinions, audience questions, and Ewok recipes. Oh, and it's a family show, so no swearies! Enjoy.
Listen to the episode on the pod app of your choice — or via the PlanetRadio player above.
- 5/1/2023
- by Chris Hewitt
- Empire - Movies
If this week's episode of the Empire Podcast seems even more incoherent than usual, that's because it was recorded very early in the morning. Mind you, that doesn't explain why Chris Hewitt, Helen O'Hara and James Dyer are incoherent at the best of times, but we digress.
In this episode, our intrepid trio tackle a listener question about Dodgeball 2 and end up answering a completely different Q; discuss the week's movie news, including almost everything that emerged from CinemaCon; and review Peter Pan And Wendy, Polite Society, and The Unlikely Pilgrimage Of Harold Fry. Chris also has lovely chats with the stars of that movie, Jim Broadbent and Penelope Wilton, and David Lowery, director of Peter Pan And Wendy, who reveals his love of Event Horizon. Do you see? Yes, we see. Enjoy.
Listen to the episode on the pod app of your choice — or via the PlanetRadio player above.
In this episode, our intrepid trio tackle a listener question about Dodgeball 2 and end up answering a completely different Q; discuss the week's movie news, including almost everything that emerged from CinemaCon; and review Peter Pan And Wendy, Polite Society, and The Unlikely Pilgrimage Of Harold Fry. Chris also has lovely chats with the stars of that movie, Jim Broadbent and Penelope Wilton, and David Lowery, director of Peter Pan And Wendy, who reveals his love of Event Horizon. Do you see? Yes, we see. Enjoy.
Listen to the episode on the pod app of your choice — or via the PlanetRadio player above.
- 4/28/2023
- by Chris Hewitt
- Empire - Movies
Hail to the King, baby! No, we haven't gone all Coronation crazy, folks. Instead, this week's Empire Podcast sees the return of Chris Hewitt's beloved possessed Goat boy, and all-time favourite filmmaker, Sam Raimi, who rocks up on Zoom to talk about the return of the Evil Dead in Lee Cronin's Evil Dead Rise. Plus, they talk about -- you'll never guess -- a little film called Evil Dead II, that Chris might have mentioned once or twice on the podcast. But also, hail to the Queen, baby! Chris also has a fun chat, about Deadites, dreams and snakes, with the star of Evil Dead Rise, Australian actress Alyssa Sutherland. Perhaps best listen to that once you've seen the movie.
Then, afflicted by the lurgy and dodgy air con, this week's pod was recorded in the virtual podbooth, with Chris joined by Helen O'Hara and James Dyer for...
Then, afflicted by the lurgy and dodgy air con, this week's pod was recorded in the virtual podbooth, with Chris joined by Helen O'Hara and James Dyer for...
- 4/21/2023
- by Chris Hewitt
- Empire - Movies
Ok, we're not going to lie. This week's episode of the (freshly award-nominated) Empire Podcast is even more bumper-sized than usual, folks. But that's what happens when the legendary action star, Scott Adkins, strolls into the podbooth and joins Chris Hewitt, Helen O'Hara and James Dyer for the first third of the show, talking about his time as Killa Harkan in John Wick: Chapter 4. Scott also sticks around for the listener question section, which is nice. Oh, and there's a big John Wick Chapter 4 spoiler from 08:06.000 to 09:25.438.
Elsewhere, Chris has three incredibly fun chats with what seems like the entire cast of Dungeons & Dragons: Honour Among Thieves — Chris Pine and Hugh Grant talk about what they look for in a director, Michelle Rodriguez and Regé-Jean Page wax lyrical about Northern Ireland and seals, and Justice Smith and Sophia Lillis help Chris rediscover his love of the podcast form.
Elsewhere, Chris has three incredibly fun chats with what seems like the entire cast of Dungeons & Dragons: Honour Among Thieves — Chris Pine and Hugh Grant talk about what they look for in a director, Michelle Rodriguez and Regé-Jean Page wax lyrical about Northern Ireland and seals, and Justice Smith and Sophia Lillis help Chris rediscover his love of the podcast form.
- 3/31/2023
- by Chris Hewitt
- Empire - Movies
Another Empire Podcast episode, another bumper selection of guests this week, as Chris Hewitt sits down (in person) with Ian McShane, star of John Wick: Chapter 4, and they chat about hotels, Lovejoy, McShane's start in acting, and (of course) Columbo. Chris also has a fantastic chat with John Boyega, star of Breaking, which is released on PVOD on Monday (March 27th), in which they talk about the film's social conscience, how Boyega navigated his career post-Attack The Block and Star Wars, and how he celebrates his birthdays. And then there's a clash of the Alexes, as our Mr Godfrey chats with Infinity Pool star Alexander Skarsgard about his crazy and intense new movie. Be warned: there's talk galore of dog collars and giant penises. The usual.
Then, in the podbooth, Helen O'Hara hosts and is joined by James Dyer and Sophie Butcher for a fun episode in which...
Then, in the podbooth, Helen O'Hara hosts and is joined by James Dyer and Sophie Butcher for a fun episode in which...
- 3/24/2023
- by Chris Hewitt
- Empire - Movies
Another bumper episode of the Empire Podcast this week, folks, as Chris Hewitt chats with Raine Allen-Miller and Vivian Oparah, director and star respectively of the effervescent new rom-com,Rye Lane. This may actually be the first pod interview where one of us is on a boat. Which one? Find out by listening! Then Chris sits down for a chat about movies and movie history with Marlowe star, Liam Neeson, and there's a taster of our Ant-Man And The Wasp: Quantumania spoiler special interviews with that film's director, Peyton Reed, and writer Jeff Loveness. The spoiler special itself will be up on Monday.
Then, in the virtual podbooth today, Chris is joined by Helen O'Hara and James Dyer for a fun episode that celebrates all things St. Patrick, discusses the greatest living Irish actors (and probably leaves out someone incredible), talks about the Oscars, James Gunn directing Superman: Legacy, Quentin Tarantino's final film,...
Then, in the virtual podbooth today, Chris is joined by Helen O'Hara and James Dyer for a fun episode that celebrates all things St. Patrick, discusses the greatest living Irish actors (and probably leaves out someone incredible), talks about the Oscars, James Gunn directing Superman: Legacy, Quentin Tarantino's final film,...
- 3/17/2023
- by Chris Hewitt
- Empire - Movies
This week's episode of the Empire Podcast sees another onslaught of incredible guests, as Ian Freer chats with Babylon's director-composer duo of Damien Chazelle and Justin Hurwitz about their working relationship and long friendship, and Chris Hewitt talks scary VHS covers with We Have A Ghost director Christopher Landon, and stepping into the directorial breach with Creed III star (and shot caller), Michael B. Jordan.
Then, in the podbooth, Helen O'Hara hosts this week, and she's joined by James Dyer and Amon Warmann to discuss movies with small casts, the week's movie news (such as it is), and review Creed III, Close, The Strays, and The Independent. Enjoy.
Listen to the episode on the pod app of your choice — or via the PlanetRadio player above.
Then, in the podbooth, Helen O'Hara hosts this week, and she's joined by James Dyer and Amon Warmann to discuss movies with small casts, the week's movie news (such as it is), and review Creed III, Close, The Strays, and The Independent. Enjoy.
Listen to the episode on the pod app of your choice — or via the PlanetRadio player above.
- 3/3/2023
- by Chris Hewitt
- Empire - Movies
This week's episode of the Empire Podcast is bursting at the seams with Quantumania, as Chris Hewitt sits down with Ant-Man And The Wasp: Quantumania stars, Jonathan Majors (aka Kang The Conqueror) and Paul Rudd (aka Lang The Possibly Conquered). One of the interviews is thoughtful and considered and introspective, the other is pure chaos. Have fun finding out which is which! Then Ben Travis Zooms with Jenny Slate, star and co-writer of the delightful Marcel The Shell With Shoes On, and finds out about how the character came about, and Slate's karaoke game. Very important.
And in the podbooth, Chris and Ben are joined by Helen O'Hara and James Dyer for an episode that delves deep into the cinematic treasures of 1998, discusses the week's movie news including all those lovely Super Bowl trailers, and reviews Quantumania, Marcel, and Florian Zeller's The Son. Oh, and time moves in mysterious ways this week.
And in the podbooth, Chris and Ben are joined by Helen O'Hara and James Dyer for an episode that delves deep into the cinematic treasures of 1998, discusses the week's movie news including all those lovely Super Bowl trailers, and reviews Quantumania, Marcel, and Florian Zeller's The Son. Oh, and time moves in mysterious ways this week.
- 2/17/2023
- by Chris Hewitt
- Empire - Movies
Episode 550 is here! To celebrate the latest Empire Podcast landmark, we once again staged a live show at Kings Place, London, and now here is that show, reassembled in the correct order and with the really naughty bits cut out And it was a belter, as Chris Hewitt, Helen O'Hara, Ben Travis, and James Dyer took to the stage in front of a packed crowd of loyal listeners, and chatted about the week's movie news, reviewed Eo, Puss In Boots: The Last Wish, The Whale, Knock At The Cabin, and Saint Omer, and answered a ton of listener questions.
But that's not all: a landmark episode deserves a landmark line-up of guests, and we didn't disappoint, with Aftersun director Charlotte Wells and her young star, Frankie Corio, joining James and Helen for a chat about the BAFTA-nominated belter; director Asif Kapadia showed up to talk to Chris about Kapadia's new film,...
But that's not all: a landmark episode deserves a landmark line-up of guests, and we didn't disappoint, with Aftersun director Charlotte Wells and her young star, Frankie Corio, joining James and Helen for a chat about the BAFTA-nominated belter; director Asif Kapadia showed up to talk to Chris about Kapadia's new film,...
- 2/3/2023
- by Chris Hewitt
- Empire - Movies
This week's episode of the Empire Podcast features more Oscar nominees than… well, not the Oscars themselves, that would be ridiculous. But certainly more Oscar nominees than you could shake a golden stick at. First, Chris Hewitt has a chat with Guillermo del Toro and Mark Gustafson, directors of Best Animated Feature frontrunner, Pinocchio (not that one). Then, Alex Godfrey gets deep with Best Actress nominee, Michelle Williams, as she tells him about how she played Steven Spielberg's mum for Steven Spielberg in Steven Spielberg's The Fabelmans. And then Dan Jolin Zooms in for a chat with The Whale director Darren Aronofsky, and his star, possible Best Actor favourite Brendan Fraser.
Plus! Either side of those chats, Chris is joined in the podbooth by Helen O'Hara and James Dyer to discuss Paul Mescal's chances of being the new Bond (and Chris comes up with a plan that should...
Plus! Either side of those chats, Chris is joined in the podbooth by Helen O'Hara and James Dyer to discuss Paul Mescal's chances of being the new Bond (and Chris comes up with a plan that should...
- 1/27/2023
- by Chris Hewitt
- Empire - Movies
This! Is! Oversharing! Full disclosure, folks — this week's Empire Podcast features the return of one of our favourite interviewees, Gerry 'Gerard' Butler, as he and his Plane co-star Mike Colter sit down on Zoom with our Chris Hewitt. And while it's as fun and giggle-tactic as any of Butler's appearances on the pod, we should warn you that a lot of it revolves around a story that Chris shares with the duo right at the beginning. And that story is a load of old poop. You have been warned.
Elsewhere, Chris is joined in the podbooth by Helen O'Hara and James Dyer for another fun and frank exchange of film-related views, in which they bang on about the books and games they'd love to see turned into films, discuss (most of) the week's movie news (this was recorded before the BAFTA nominations were announced), and review The Estate, Alice, Darling,...
Elsewhere, Chris is joined in the podbooth by Helen O'Hara and James Dyer for another fun and frank exchange of film-related views, in which they bang on about the books and games they'd love to see turned into films, discuss (most of) the week's movie news (this was recorded before the BAFTA nominations were announced), and review The Estate, Alice, Darling,...
- 1/20/2023
- by Chris Hewitt
- Empire - Movies
We're back! Finally! And properly! The first Empire Podcast of 2023 is here, folks, and it features an interview that Helen did with Noah Baumbach, director of White Noi… no, only kidding. This week's interviews are a one-time deal, folks, but they are absolute belters, as Chris Hewitt sits down with Empire Of Light writer-director Sam Mendes, and M3GAN producers Jason Blum and James Wan; while Ian Freer has a natter with Todd Field, who returns as director after a long hiatus with the brilliant TÁR.
Then, Chris is joined in the podbooth by Helen O'Hara and James Dyer to tackle a bunch of questions, discuss the most recent movie news (including the new Quantumania trailer), and run their eye over all three of our guests' films, along with Mark Jenkin's Enys Men, a film seemingly specifically designed to annoy James. We've started 2023 as we mean to go on,...
Then, Chris is joined in the podbooth by Helen O'Hara and James Dyer to tackle a bunch of questions, discuss the most recent movie news (including the new Quantumania trailer), and run their eye over all three of our guests' films, along with Mark Jenkin's Enys Men, a film seemingly specifically designed to annoy James. We've started 2023 as we mean to go on,...
- 1/13/2023
- by Chris Hewitt
- Empire - Movies
The Icg Publicists Guild today revealed the six nominees for its 2023 Maxwell Weinberg Award for Motion Picture Publicity Campaigns, which include the teams behind last year’s two biggest movies.
The billion-dollar grossers Avatar: The Way of Water and Top Gun: Maverick will vie for the marquee prize along with Elvis, Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery, Nope and The Woman King.
The award honors active members working on motion pictures whose achievements in publicity and promotion campaigns during the previous calendar year are deemed outstanding.
“The outstanding nominations this year shine a bright light not only on the diversity of the films submitted but also the individual challenges the publicity teams faced in this highly competitive field,” said Sheryl Main, who announced the nominees along with fellow Icg Publicists Awards Chair Tim Menke.
Another billion-dollar pic, Sony’s Spider-Man: No Way Home, won the guild’s Maxwell Weinberg Award for movies last year,...
The billion-dollar grossers Avatar: The Way of Water and Top Gun: Maverick will vie for the marquee prize along with Elvis, Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery, Nope and The Woman King.
The award honors active members working on motion pictures whose achievements in publicity and promotion campaigns during the previous calendar year are deemed outstanding.
“The outstanding nominations this year shine a bright light not only on the diversity of the films submitted but also the individual challenges the publicity teams faced in this highly competitive field,” said Sheryl Main, who announced the nominees along with fellow Icg Publicists Awards Chair Tim Menke.
Another billion-dollar pic, Sony’s Spider-Man: No Way Home, won the guild’s Maxwell Weinberg Award for movies last year,...
- 1/12/2023
- by Erik Pedersen
- Deadline Film + TV
Happy New Year, folks! So, there's no regular episode of the Empire Podcast this week, but in order to fill the huge pod-shaped hole in your lives, Chris Hewitt, Helen O'Hara, James Dyer, and James 'Jaime Blanco' White crammed themselves into the studio just yesterday to record a fun breakdown of the forthcoming fillums that have got them all het up and hot under the collar. From Killers Of The Flower Moon to Barbie, from the MCU to Mission: Impossible, all human life is here. And there's a Cocaine Bear for good measure.
Oh, and while we're looking forward, we're also looking back, as we bring you Helen's interview with Noah Baumbach, the director of White Noise, which is now streaming on Netflix. It's a really interesting interview, and it's just under 14 minutes in length. Why are we telling you that? You'll see. Anyway, enjoy!
Listen to the episode on...
Oh, and while we're looking forward, we're also looking back, as we bring you Helen's interview with Noah Baumbach, the director of White Noise, which is now streaming on Netflix. It's a really interesting interview, and it's just under 14 minutes in length. Why are we telling you that? You'll see. Anyway, enjoy!
Listen to the episode on...
- 1/6/2023
- by Chris Hewitt
- Empire - Movies
On the last Empire Podcast of the year, we have something of a The Prestige reunion, which is nice. First, Christian Bale, star of The Pale Blue Eye, talks to Chris Hewitt about being mistaken for Gareth Bale, and his experiences working with directors on multiple occasions, including Adam McKay, Scott Cooper, and Terrence Malick. Then Hugh Jackman, Golden Globe-nominated star of The Son (which opens here in February), talks to Amon Warmann about his experiences on that movie, working with Anthony Hopkins for a day, and why he's about to play Wolverine again in Deadpool 3. Then, Kate Hudson and Jessica Henwick, neither of whom were in The Prestige, more than make up for it by having a freewheeling and very funny chat with Chris about their new movie Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery, life with an assistant, British sitcoms, and John Carpenter and Kurt Russell.
And if that weren't enough,...
And if that weren't enough,...
- 12/23/2022
- by James White
- Empire - Movies
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